JPS634315A - Key input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the operability of a key input device where one key is given plural functions by classifying input keys which are used in a shift state by two kinds. CONSTITUTION:When the 2nd functions of input keys 13-16 are used, those keys are released automatically from their shift states by being operated. When the 2nd functions of input keys 11 and 12 are used, on the other hand, a timer is started and the elapsed time from the operation of the keys 11 and 12 is monitored. In this state, when a shift key 17 is pressed, when the input keys 13-16 are pressed, or when the timer counts up to a constant time, the 2nd functions are reset. This timer is reset every time the input keys 11 or 12 is operated, so the input keys 11 and 12 can be used continuously and return to the 1st functions automatically a fixed time after the last key operation.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a key input device that uses one input key for two or more input functions. It is intended to be different.

[Conventional technology]

In electronic desk calculators, computer keyboards, radio control units, and the like, it is common to multiplex the input functions of each key in order to use limited space effectively. For example, in the conventional keyboard shown in FIG. 5, each of the plurality of input keys 1 has A+ and B+ as normal input functions (referred to as first functions).

C+, . B2. C2, . . . The current mode is displayed, for example, on a part of the display section 3 (rSHIFTJ indicates the shift state).

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

By the way, there are many systems in which the shift state is automatically canceled by pressing shift key 2 and then pressing any input key 1, but in this case, the second function is changed to A2. A2.
A2. It is inconvenient that the number of key operations increases because it is necessary to press the shift key each time when using the key repeatedly. Therefore, a method has been considered in which, once the shift key 2 is pressed, the shift state continues until the shift key 2 is pressed again. However, if all the input keys become like this, when the input key is used for the second function, three key operations (shift key twice, input key once) are required to return from the setting, so this also applies. This is inconvenient and may lead to erroneous operations due to forgetting to release it.

The present invention attempts to resolve such contradictions.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention provides a plurality of input keys each having an independent normal input function, a shift key that switches the input key to another function different from the normal input function, and a shift key that switches the input key to another function different from the normal input function. When the first input key and the shift key are pressed, the function switches to the other function only once.If a certain period of time has elapsed after the key operation is completed, the shift key or the first input key is pressed. The present invention is characterized by comprising a key input processing section that processes the input key in a manner that distinguishes it from a second input key that returns to the normal input function when the input key is pressed.

[Effect]

As shown in FIG. 1, in a system consisting of a keyboard section 10, a display section 20, a microcomputer section 30, and a control pair R40, the microcomputer section 30 processes key input from the keyboard section 10 and controls the display on the display section 20. , and further includes various control programs for the controlled object 40, but key input processing will mainly be explained below.

In the present invention, among the input keys of the keyboard unit 10, the input keys used in the shift state are classified into two types, and for example, for input keys that are not used continuously as the second function, when used once for the second function, the input keys are However, input keys that may be used continuously for the second function remain in the second function for a certain period of time (e.g. 2 seconds) after the previous key operation. I'll keep it. Doing this is convenient for continuous operation, and you won't forget to release it.

Of course, even in this case, it would be more convenient if the second vIA function was automatically canceled when a key other than this type of input key is operated, and by doing so, the contradiction between the two conventional methods can be resolved. can be solved effectively.

〔Example〕

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, in which the controlled object 40 is a radio transceiver section.

The microcomputer 30 is a CPU (central processing unit)
31, a ROM (read-only memory) 32 storing various programs, a RAM (random access memory) 33 for data storage, and an interface circuit 34 used for connection with input/output devices.

Figure 3 shows the operation section (keyboard section) 10 and the LCD.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the display unit 20. FIG. The operation unit IO has six input keys 11 to 16 and one shift key 17. 11 and 12 are input keys whose primary functions are volume (VOL, ) up (UP) and down (DOWN), and squelch (SQ, ) up (UP) and down (DOWN) are secondary functions. be. Similarly, 13 and 14 are channels (CH,)
UP and DOWN are the first functions, and high transmission output (IIIG
)l POW, ) and low transmit power (LOW POW, )
15 and 16 are input keys whose secondary function is to switch the , and 15 and 16 are input keys whose primary functions are monitor (MONITOR) and priority channel call (PRIORITY), and which disable other key operations (LOCK) and key operation. This is an input key whose second function is to switch the beep (BEEP) that sometimes makes a sound.

The input keys 11 and 12 can have their second functions (squelch step up/down) used continuously, while the input keys 13 to 16 can have their second functions used continuously (reversing or switching states). It is not used as such. Although it is the shift key 14 that shifts the input keys 11-16 to the second function, the conditions for returning from the second function to the normal first function are different for the input keys 11, 12 and the input keys 13-16. The CPU 31 performs processing according to this difference.

The display section 20 has a channel display 21 that shows the current channel number, a shift display 22 that shows that the device is in a shift state, and a second shift I/display 23 that shows a second function (for example, squelch value).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of key input processing executed by the CPU 31, and corresponds to the key arrangement shown in FIG. 3. The "normal state" relates to the first function of each input key, whereas the "shift state" refers to the processing after pressing the shift key. Among these, only the input keys 11 and 12 are branched to the "second shift state", and the others are related to the input keys 13 to 16.

According to such input key classification and input processing, when using the second function of the input keys 13 to 16, the shift state is automatically canceled by operating the key, which is convenient. On the other hand, when the input keys 11 and 12 are used for the second function, the display section switches to the second shift state display (squelch display) shown in FIG. , 12 are monitored. The 211th function of the input keys 11 and 12 is canceled under any of the following conditions. The first is when the shift key 17 is pressed, the second is when the input keys 13 to 16 are pressed, and the third is when the timer has elapsed for a certain period of time (approximately 2 seconds in this case). Since this third release condition is reset each time the input keys 11 and 12 are operated, these input keys 11 and 12 can be used continuously for the second function. In addition, if you do not perform the release operation under the first or second condition (in both cases, the first function will be automatically returned after a certain period of time has passed since the last key operation), so if you forget to return the key and make an erroneous operation (in this case, you intended to adjust the volume) The first or second condition is to allow other keys to be used without this waiting time.

Although the above example describes a case where one input key has two functions, the present invention can also be applied to a case where two or more keys are provided and one input key has three or more functions. Further, input processing by a microcomputer can also be performed by hardware.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, the present invention has the advantage that the operability of a key input device in which one input key has multiple functions can be improved depending on whether the key input device is used continuously or not.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 3 is a configuration diagram of its main parts, Fig. 4 is a flowchart of key input processing, and Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a conventional keyboard. In the figure, 10 is the operation unit (keyboard), 11.12 is the second
The first input key 117 is a shift key, 20 is a display section, and 30 is a microcomputer section. Applicant: Fujitsu Ten Ltd. Representative Patent Attorney Aoyagi Minorumoto Enmei's Plants'' Each 7'' B, , F N1 Figure Large π example of the present invention Q7'D, Figure 77 Figure 2 (b) Normal υJ exposure 0 I small part (÷Yanel table small part)
) (C) Visited 2nd shift to ``, uni phonetic name) (Seungle +
Example of value display) Conventional keyboard Figure 5

Claims (1)

[Claims] A plurality of input keys each having an independent normal input function, a shift key that switches the input key to another function different from the normal input function, and one input key when the shift key is pressed among the plurality of input keys. When the first input key and the shift key are pressed, the function is switched to the other function, and either a certain period of time passes after the key operation is completed, or the shift key or the first input key is pressed. A key input device comprising: a key input processing section that distinguishes between and a second input key that returns to the normal input function.